Mechanical dispenser and method for dispensing a fluent material

ABSTRACT

A mechanical dispenser includes an elongated housing, first and second longitudinal racks, and an extruder. The housing is adapted for receiving and storing a fluent material. The first rack resides in the housing and incorporates a first series of spaced teeth. The second rack is located adjacent to the first rack in the housing, and incorporates a second series of spaced teeth. The second rack is slidably movable relative to the first rack. The extruder is located within the housing, and is adapted for rectilinear movement along the first rack. The extruder has first and second hinged pawls for engaging respective first and second racks. Upon movement of the second rack relative to the first rack from a first position to a second position, the first pawl of the extruder operatively engages a selected tooth of the first rack while the second pawl slides over a tooth of the second rack, thereby maintaining a first position of the extruder on the first rack. Upon return movement of the second rack to the first position, the second pawl operatively engages the tooth of the second rack while the first pawl slides over and engages an adjacent tooth of the first rack, thereby advancing the extruder on the first rack to a second position such that fluent material stored in the housing is urged towards one end of the housing and dispensed.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to a mechanical dispenser, and method for dispensing a fluent material. In one exemplary implementation, the invention is applicable for use in combination with a squeezable tube of toothpaste. The invention is also applicable for dispensing other fluent material including soft soap, food condiments, shampoo and other haircare products, and the like. The fluent material may be separately contained in squeezable packaging (as with toothpaste), or may be inserted directly into the mechanical dispenser and stored for subsequent dispensing.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a mechanical dispenser applicable for dispensing fluent materials.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method for dispensing fluent materials.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the exemplary embodiments disclosed below by providing a mechanical dispenser comprising an elongated housing, first and second longitudinal racks, and an extruder. The housing is adapted for receiving and storing a fluent material. The fluent material may be removed from its container and inserted directly into the housing, or may be contained in a squeezable tube or other appropriate packaging which is inserted into the housing. The term “housing” is defined broadly herein to mean any framework or other structure which substantially surrounds or supports one or more internal components of the dispenser. The term “fluent material” refers broadly to any material capable of flowing without regard to its particular level of viscosity. The term “extruder” refers broadly to any structure operable to thrust out, force or press out, or expel the fluent material from the dispenser.

The first rack resides in the housing and incorporates a first series of spaced teeth. The second rack is located adjacent to the first rack in the housing, and incorporates a second series of spaced teeth. The second rack is slidably movable relative to the first rack. The extruder is located within the housing, and is adapted for rectilinear movement along the first rack. The extruder has first and second hinged pawls for engaging respective first and second racks. The term “pawl” refers to any hinged, pivoted, or adjustable structure adapted to temporarily and/or selectively engage an interfering structure, such as the teeth of a rack.

Upon movement of the second rack relative to the first rack from a first position to a second position, the first pawl of the extruder operatively engages a selected tooth of the first rack while the second pawl slides over a tooth of the second rack, thereby maintaining a first position of the extruder on the first rack. Upon return movement of the second rack to the first position, the second pawl operatively engages the tooth of the second rack while the first pawl slides over and engages an adjacent tooth of the first rack, thereby advancing the extruder on the first rack to a second position such that fluent material stored in the housing is urged towards one end of the housing and dispensed.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first and second hinged pawls comprise resilient springs.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, means are provided for biasing the second rack in the first position.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the biasing means comprises a resilient spring.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a pivotable handle operatively engages the second rack to move the second rack from the first position to the second position.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first rack and the housing are integrally formed together as a single unit.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the extruder defines a tube-receiving slot adapted for receiving a closed end of a squeezable tube containing the fluent material.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first and second racks comprise respective sets of spaced teeth, each set comprising four lines of teeth extending respectively from one end of the housing to the other.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the extruder comprises first and second sets of hinged pawls, each set comprising four pawls operatively engaging respective lines of teeth formed with each of the first and second racks.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a removable spout is located at one end of the housing.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the invention is a mechanical dispenser in combination with a squeezable tube containing a fluent material.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the invention is a method for dispensing a fluent material contained in a squeezable tube. The method includes the steps of inserting the squeezable tube into a housing of a mechanical dispenser, and then locating an extruder of the mechanical dispenser at a closed end of the squeezable tube. The mechanical dispenser is then actuated to urge the extruder in a direction towards an open end of the squeezable tube. As the extruder advances towards the open end of the squeezable tube, the fluent material contained in the squeezable tube is dispensed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mechanical dispenser according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of the mechanical dispenser;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the mechanical dispenser;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanical dispenser;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged perspective views of the traveling extruder;

FIGS. 7-11 are enlarged fragmentary views demonstrating sequential operation of the mechanical dispenser;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a mechanical dispenser according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the mechanical dispenser shown in FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the mechanical dispenser shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE

The present invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be operative, enabling, and complete. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be given their broad ordinary and customary meaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafter described. Any references to advantages, benefits, unexpected results, or operability of the present invention are not intended as an affirmation that the invention has been previously reduced to practice or that any testing has been performed.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a mechanical dispenser according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and indicated generally at reference numeral 10. The mechanical dispenser 10 is applicable for dispensing fluent material, such as toothpaste contained in a conventional squeezable tube 11. The mechanical dispenser 10 and its constituent parts are preferably formed of a rigid durable plastic, such as PVC or ABS.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the mechanical dispenser 10 incorporates a removable spout 12, a hollow exterior housing 14, inner and outer racks 16 and 18 located within the housing 14, and a traveling extruder 20. The housing 14 has an outwardly-flanged open bottom 22, opposing longitudinal keyways 23 and 24, and a nozzle opening 25. The squeezable tube 11 is stored inside the housing 14, and has a standard externally-threaded nozzle 26 at one end and a sealed lateral edge 28 at an opposite end. The threaded nozzle 26 mates with a complementary-threaded internal opening (not shown) formed with the removable spout 12 to operatively join the spout 12 and tube 11 together.

The inner and outer racks 16, 18 reside adjacent the squeezable tube 11 inside the housing 14, and comprise respective spaced-apart teeth “T” arranged longitudinally in eight individual lines 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D and 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D—four lines of teeth per rack. Each rack 16, 18 has a substantially flat planar base 34, 35. The bases 34, 35 define respective aligned center openings 36 and 37. When assembled, the inside and outside racks 16, 18 form a generally tubular cavity, and nest together such that their respective teeth “T” align in four cooperating pairs 31A, 32A; 31B, 32B; 31C, 32C; and 31D, 32D. The teeth “T” in lines 31A, 32A and 31B, 32B are illustrated in FIG. 4 (lines 32A and 32B shown in cross-section). In this position, the teeth “T” are arranged in substantially co-linear rows of two; each row being equally spaced from an adjacent row. The teeth in lines 31C, 32C; and 31D, 32D align in an identical manner.

As shown in FIG. 4, the base 34 of the inside rack 16 is adapted to fit inside a vertical wall 41 formed with the base 35 of outside rack 18. The base 35 has resilient leaf-type springs 42 and 43 which engage the base 34, and cooperate to urge the inside rack 16 in a normal elevated position relative to the outside rack 18. The springs 42, 43 may comprise one or more curved narrow metal strips which are attached to the base 35 by respective retainers 44 and 45. The flanged bottom 22 of the housing 14 resides adjacent the base 34 inside the vertical wall 41. The housing 14 has opposing engagement pins 47, 48 which cooperate with a pivoted handle 49, as described below, to depress the housing 14 and inside rack 16 against the biasing force of the springs 42, 43, thereby effecting sliding linear movement of the inside rack 16 relative to the outside rack 18. In one exemplary embodiment, the handle 49 is pivotably attached to the vertical wall 41 of base 35 through openings 51, 52. Preferably, longitudinal alignment keys 54 and 55 are formed with respective walls of the outside rack 18 and extend through the keyways 23, 24 of the housing 14 to maintain proper alignment of the housing 14 and outside rack 18 during operation of the dispenser 10.

Referring to FIGS. 3-6, the traveling extruder 20 comprises a tapered through-slot 61, opposing arcuate side walls 62, 63, substantially planar end walls 64, 65, and 4 pairs of resilient hinged pawls 66A, 66B; 67A, 67B; 68A, 68B; and 69A, 69B (i.e., 8 total). The pawls may comprise respective springs or other suitable biasing means. The side walls 62, 63 are formed between respective pairs of pawls 66A, 66B; 67A, 67B; and 68A, 68B; 69A, 69B, and are shaped to reside closely adjacent complementary curved surfaces of the inner rack 16. The end walls 64, 65 reside closely adjacent respective inside surfaces of the outer rack 18. To complete assembly of the mechanical dispenser 10, the extruder 20 is manually inserted through respective aligned openings 36, 37 in the bases 34, 35. As the extruder 20 enters the dispenser 10, the sealed bottom edge 28 of the squeezable tube 11 passes through the tapered slot 61 (See FIG. 4), while the 4 pairs of pivoted pawls 66A, 66B; 67A, 67B; 68A, 68B; 69A, 69B operatively engage respective lines of teeth 31A, 32A; 31B, 32B; 31C, 32C; 31D, 32D formed with the inside and outside racks 16, 18. (Pawls 66A, 67A, 68A, and 69A engage teeth in lines 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D of the outside rack 18, while pawls 66B, 67B, 68B, and 69B engage teeth in lines 31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D of the inside rack 14.)

FIGS. 7-11 demonstrate sequential operation of the mechanical dispenser 10. For purposes of illustration, squeezable tube 11 and portions of the housing 14 and inner and outer racks 16, 18 are removed. In the position of FIG. 7, the extruder 20 resides inside the housing 14 with hinged pawls 66A, 66B and 69A, 69B operatively engaging respective teeth in lines 32A, 31A and 32D, 31D of the outer and inner racks 18, 16. When the handle 49 is manually depressed, it engages the pins 47, 48 (only 47 shown) to urge the housing 14 and inside rack 16 downward against the biasing force of the leaf-type springs 42, 43 (only 43 shown). As the inner rack 16 slides downward relative to the outer rack 18, as demonstrated in FIGS. 8 and 8A, the resilient pawls 66B, 69B of the extruder 20 pass over the teeth of the inner rack 16 while pawls 66A, 69A remain locked in position adjacent teeth of the outer rack 18. When the inner rack 16 reaches the base 35 of the outer rack 18, as shown in FIG. 9, the pawls 66B, 69B of the extruder 20 advance to adjacent teeth of the inner rack 16. At this point, the pivoted handle 49 is released. The leaf-type springs 42, 43 urge against the base 34 of the inner rack 16 causing the inner rack 16 and housing 14 to return upward to their original elevated positions relative to the outer rack 18, as demonstrated in FIG. 10. As the inner rack 16 moves upward, pawls 66B and 69B remain locked in position adjacent teeth of the inner rack 16 while pawls 66A and 69A slide over adjacent teeth of the outer rack 18 (See FIG. 10). FIG. 11 shows the inner rack 16 in its original elevated position relative to the outer rack 18, and with the extruder 20 now moved up one tooth of the inner rack 16 and advanced towards the top of the dispenser 10. This movement causes the squeezable tube 11 to flatten out in an area of the extruder 20, thereby forcing a precise quantity of fluent material outwardly through the nozzle 26 and spout 12 at each upward movement of the extruder 20. This process is repeated until the extruder 20 has traveled upwardly the entire length of the inside and outside racks 16, 18, and the fluent material is substantially emptied from the tube 11.

In order to replace the empty tube 11, the spout 12 is first removed from the threaded nozzle 26 and the pivoted handle 49 rotated upwardly towards the housing 14. With the handle 49 rotated upwardly, the engagement pins 47, 48 clear the handle 49 and the housing 14 is free to separate from the nested inner and outer racks 16, 18. Once the housing 14 is removed, the empty tube 11 and extruder 20 are pulled from the dispenser 10. A fresh tube is then placed inside the racks 16, 18, and the housing 14, spout 12, and extruder 20 are re-assembled as previously described.

A further exemplary implementation of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14. In this embodiment, the mechanical dispenser 80 comprises a removable top 81, an open-ended exterior housing 82, a pivoted handle 84, a toothed rack 86, and a traveling extruder 90. The housing 82 is designed to receive and store a squeezable tube 91 of fluent material, such as toothpaste. The squeezable tube 91 has a standard externally-threaded nozzle 92 and a sealed lateral end edge 94. A separately formed cover 95 closes one end of the housing 82, and defines a small opening 96 adapted to receive the threaded nozzle 92 of the tube 91. The removable top 81 has a complementary-threaded internal opening (not shown) which mates with the nozzle 92, and a pivoted lid which serves to selectively open and close squeezable tube 91. When assembled, the removable top 81 joins the cover 95 and tube 91 together.

The toothed rack 86 extends inside the housing 82, and has a spring-loaded base 101 which resides adjacent a rim 82A of the housing 82. The rack 86 comprises 4 lines of longitudinally arranged teeth 102A, 102B, 102C, and 102D. A second rack 104 is integrally formed with an inside surface of the housing 82, and comprises 4 corresponding lines of teeth 106A, 106B, 106C, and 106D extending substantially from one end of the housing 82 to the other. When the first rack 86 is assembled inside the housing 82, the respective teeth of the first and second racks 86 and 104 align in four cooperating pairs of substantially parallel lines 102A, 106A; 102B, 106B; 102C, 106C; and 102D, 106D. The teeth in each pair are arranged in substantially co-linear rows of two; each row being equally spaced from an adjacent row.

The end cover 95 is positioned over the spring-loaded base 101 of the first rack 86, and has opposing pins 108 and 109 which cooperate with a pivoted handle 110 attached to the housing 82. When manually actuated, the handle 110 engages the pins 108, 109 and depresses the toothed rack 86 against the biasing force of the base springs 111, thereby effecting sliding linear movement of the first rack 86 relative to the second rack 104 and housing 82. In one exemplary embodiment, the handle 110 is pivotably attached to the housing 82 through openings 112.

As previously described, the traveling extruder 90 comprises a tapered through-slot, opposing arcuate side walls, substantially planar end walls, and 4 pairs of resilient hinged pawls 121A, 121B; 122A, 122B; 123A, 123B; and 124A, 124B (i.e., 8 total). The sidewalls are formed between respective pairs of pawls 121A, 121 B; 122A, 122B; and 123A, 123B; 124A, 124B, and are shaped to reside closely adjacent complementary curved inside surfaces of the first rack 86. The end walls reside closely adjacent respective inside surfaces of the housing 82. To complete assembly of the mechanical dispenser 80, the extruder 90 is manually inserted through an open end 125 of the housing 82. As the extruder enters the dispenser 80, the sealed bottom edge 94 of the squeezable tube 91 passes through the tapered slot, while the 4 pairs of hinged pawls 121A, 121B; 122A, 122B; 123A, 123B; 124A, 124B operatively engage respective lines of teeth 102A, 106A; 102B, 106B; 102C, 106C; 102D, 106D formed with the inside and outside racks 86 and 104.

By depressing the handle 110, the first rack 86 slides linearly in one direction relative to the second rack 104, and then slides back in an opposite direction to its original position by operation of the base springs 111A and 111B. This reciprocal shifting causes rectilinear movement of the extruder 90 along the racks 86 and 104 in a manner identical to that previously described. Upon each advance of the extruder 90, a precise quantity of fluent material is dispensed through the nozzle 92 and opened lid of the removable top 81. When the tube 91 is empty, the top 81 is removed from the threaded nozzle 92 and the pivoted handle 110 rotated substantially 120 degrees or more to clear the engagement pins 108, 109. The cover 95 is then free to separate from the housing 82. With the cover 95 removed, the empty tube 91 and extruder 90 are pulled from the dispenser 80. A fresh tube is then placed inside the racks 86 and 104, and the cover 95, top 81, and extruder 90 are re-assembled as previously described.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described above. No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation-the invention being defined by the claims and their equivalents. 

1. A mechanical dispenser, comprising: an elongated housing adapted for receiving and storing a fluent material; a first longitudinal rack residing in said housing and comprising a first series of spaced teeth; a second longitudinal rack located adjacent to said first rack in said housing, and comprising a second series of spaced teeth; said second rack being slidably movable relative to said first rack; an extruder located within said housing and adapted for rectilinear movement along said first rack, and said extruder having first and second hinged pawls for engaging respective first and second racks, whereby: upon movement of said second rack relative to said first rack from a first position to a second position, the first pawl of said extruder operatively engages a selected tooth of said first rack while the second pawl slides over a tooth of said second rack, thereby maintaining a first position of said extruder on said first rack; and upon return movement of said second rack to the first position, the second pawl operatively engages the tooth of said second rack while the first pawl slides over and engages an adjacent tooth of said first rack, thereby advancing said extruder on said first rack to a second position such that fluent material stored in said housing is urged towards one end of said housing and dispensed.
 2. A mechanical dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said first and second hinged pawls comprise resilient springs.
 3. A mechanical dispenser according to claim 1, and comprising means for biasing said second rack in the first position.
 4. A mechanical dispenser according to claim 3, wherein said biasing means comprises a resilient spring.
 5. A mechanical dispenser according to claim 1, and comprising a pivotable handle operatively engaging said second rack to move said second rack from the first position to the second position.
 6. A mechanical dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said first rack and said housing are integrally formed together as a single unit.
 7. A mechanical dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said extruder defines a tube-receiving slot adapted for receiving a closed end of a squeezable tube containing the fluent material.
 8. A mechanical dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said first and second racks comprise respective sets of spaced teeth, each set comprising four lines of teeth extending respectively from one end of said housing to the other.
 9. A mechanical dispenser according to claim 8, wherein said extruder comprises first and second sets of hinged pawls, each set comprising four pawls operatively engaging respective lines of teeth formed with each of said first and second racks.
 10. A mechanical dispenser according to claim 1, and comprising a removable spout located at one end of said housing.
 11. In combination with a squeezable tube containing a fluent material, a mechanical dispenser comprising: an elongated housing for receiving and storing said tube; a first longitudinal rack residing in said housing and comprising a first series of spaced teeth; a second longitudinal rack located adjacent to said first rack in said housing, and comprising a second series of spaced teeth; said second rack being slidably movable relative to said first rack; an extruder located within said housing and adapted for rectilinear movement along said first rack, and said extruder defining a tube-receiving slot through which a closed end of said tube is inserted; said extruder having first and second hinged pawls for engaging respective first and second racks, whereby: upon movement of said second rack relative to said first rack from a first position to a second position, the first pawl of said extruder operatively engages a selected tooth of said first rack while the second pawl slides over a tooth of said second rack, thereby maintaining a first position of said extruder on said first rack; and upon return movement of said second rack to the first position, the second pawl operatively engages the tooth of said second rack while the first pawl slides over and engages an adjacent tooth of said first rack, thereby advancing said extruder on said first rack to a second position, and squeezing said tube such that fluent material stored in said tube is urged towards an open end of said tube and dispensed.
 12. A combination according to claim 11, wherein said first and second hinged pawls comprise resilient springs.
 13. A combination according to claim 11, and comprising means for biasing said second rack in the first position.
 14. A combination according to claim 13, wherein said biasing means comprises a resilient spring.
 15. A combination according to claim 11, and comprising a pivotable handle operatively engaging said second rack to move said second rack from the first position to the second position.
 16. A combination according to claim 11, wherein said first rack and said housing are integrally formed together as a single unit.
 17. A combination according to claim 11, wherein said first and second racks comprise respective sets of spaced teeth, each set comprising four lines of teeth extending respectively from one end of said housing to the other.
 18. A combination according to claim 17, wherein said extruder comprises first and second sets of hinged pawls, each set comprising four pawls operatively engaging respective lines of teeth formed with each of said first and second racks.
 19. A combination according to claim 11, and comprising a spout removably attached to the open end of said tube.
 20. A method for dispensing a fluent material contained in a squeezable tube, said method comprising the steps of: inserting the squeezable tube into a housing of a mechanical dispenser; locating an extruder of the mechanical dispenser at a closed end of the squeezable tube; actuating the mechanical dispenser to urge the extruder in a direction towards an open end of the squeezable tube; and as the extruder advances towards the open end of the squeezable tube, dispensing the fluent material contained in the squeezable tube. 